Please read parts of the latest Horizon Report found at http://wp.nmc.org/horizon-k12-2010/
Read only the Executive Summary, Key Trends, Critical Challenges, and Technologies to Watch (listed on the left column of the web page.
In your comments include your response to the following questions.
Address "Key Trends," which one is the most important (say for instance, that your principal asked you to give only one)?
Address "Critical Challenges," which one is going to be the most difficult to address?
Address "Technologies to Watch," select one of the technologies and explain how you might use this type of technology in your future teaching.
Due September 30, 2010
The most important Key Trend is "Technology is increasingly a means for empowering students, a method for communication and socializing, and a ubiquitous, transparent part of their lives." As educators, we can use technology in many ways that fits in with this trend. A student can have their own blog which personalizes and "empowers" the student in his or her own learning.
ReplyDeleteThe most challenging Critical Challenge is "A key challenge is the fundamental structure of the K-12 education establishment." A corner stone of teacher education is the student teaching experience, where the student teacher continues all the old and ineffective practices of the experienced teachers. When the teacher enters the school, he or she is again encouraged to follow the same practices that have resulted in high drop out rates and large racial gaps in achievement.
In the Technologies to Watch, "Collaborative environments" could be very useful, and while they haven't been widely adopted in the classroom, could be very effective. Wikis are just one example of a collaborative environment where students can work together and edit each others work.
Of the Key Trends in the Horizon Report, I found the first one listed to be most important. It was: “Technology is increasingly a means for empowering students, a method for communication and socializing, and a ubiquitous, transparent part of their lives.” If you refuse to let technology into your classroom, I am not sure you can effectively engage the students. Indeed, technology is engrained in just about every part of their lives. I am not sure the students of today could effectively communicate and socialize without it. As teachers, we need to carefully consider this as we approach our profession.
ReplyDeleteIn Critical Challenges, I think the hardest one to address relates to education reform. “Many policy makers and educators believe that deep reform is needed, but at the same time, there is little agreement as to what a new model of education might look like.” Considering how wide-reaching any major education reform would be, I am not sure altering the K-12 establishment is even possible. It would be a political minefield with so many hurdles to cross that it would seem to make more sense to try and work within the K-12 framework to make education work better.
In the Technologies to Watch, I think game-based learning is an interesting idea. In applying it to business, I think you could use simulation-style games in marketing, finance, and entrepreneurship classes, among others.
In terms of "key trends", the most important point made in the article is that technology has become widespread. Not long ago, it was an isolated (or non-existent) part of our lives. Now, technology and the ability to use is affected nearly every part of people's lives, particularly students. This includes not only practice applications but as the primary way people stay in touch on a personal level.
ReplyDeleteThe greatest challenge is the glacial pace that the educational system is reacting to the need for change in the face of students' needs today. I believe this is the greatest challenge because it is impeded by not only the educational system, but by the teachers' themselves. For a school to institute, not only must a district and/or school leadership be willing (and able through funding) to enact chance, but teachers must be willing to implement the changes. I've encountered many teachers who are resistant to simple technology such as using cell phones to text; it would be extremely difficult for such teachers to accept large-scale changes.
In the short-term, the type of technology I'm most interested in making use of would be collaberative applications. One possible application: a class of 25 students are working (either in groups or individually) on their laptops through a web-based interface. The teacher is able to not only monitor individual groups and students, but to encourage interaction between specific groups or students. In this way, a teacher could help pair students and groups with counterbalancing strengths and weaknesses. This type of application would also give a class the power to learn not only from the teacher, but from each other; a teacher could "publish" particularly good or illustrative work to the entire class...or perhaps only to students who need it. This sharing could be anonymous or not, depending on circumstances.
In the long term, I found the concept of "flexible diplays" ("Thin screens will eventually be embedded in books, attached to desks and walls, and integrated with all kinds of objects. Touch-based interfaces and flexible displays are converging in interesting ways.") Through not currently available to most classes, I found the intriguing potential in this technology.
I belive the key trend that is most important is "Technology is increasingly a means for empowering students, a method for communication and socializing, and a ubiquitous, transparent part of their lives." Students use various forms of technology to their advantage everyday. A student using a blog or virtual tutoring will enable to educator to assess the learning of the student as well as be more effective helping the studnet understand the concepts.
ReplyDeleteI believe the most difficult critical challenge is Students are different, but educational practice and the materials that support it are changing only slowly." I believe educators are timid about allowing technology into their classrooms. I don't know if it is a because of a sense of loss of controll or because they are not as proficient as the student, but in this day technology is going to be the biggest factor in creating the most effective learning environment.
I belive the technology to watch is "game based learning." More and more research is indicating that games that involve critical thinking skills and reasoning help engage students in high forms of thinking. It there was a game that I could find to teach certain aspects of biology, I would certainly use it.
The key trend that stood out to me is that the learning spaces are expanding beyond the classroom. This shows students that learning is continuous and not confined to the traditional classroom.
ReplyDeleteThe fundamental structure of the K-12 establishment seems to be the most problematic. If all teachers had to do was instruct, this would not be as big of an issue. But too often teachers are more record keeper, parent, referee, and babysitter, not to mention defending oneself against liability. These factors often confine the teacher to the limited space of the classroom.
I would have to say that cloud computing, although I’m not certain that I totally understand it, provides some opportunities. I lied that it said it was a relatively inexpensive way to save information. I would use it as a portable means for students to revise their work.
In my view the Key trends in the Horizon report is the first one: “Technology is increasingly a means for empowering students, a method for communication and socializing, and a ubiquitous, transparent part of their lives.” Because technology is very powerful in the classrooms and can help most of the students to learn effectively. This generation of students is using technology everywhere and indifferent ways. As a teacher I will use all the technology available in the classroom and out of the class room to improve the quality of learning. For example, in our math class, we are studying now imaginary numbers and only by using powerful math programs could student see the real applications and graphs that imaginary numbers can generate.
ReplyDeleteCritical Challenges: the hardest in my view is about the education reforms: “Many policy makers and educators believe that deep reform is needed, but at the same time, there is little agreement as to what a new model of education might look like.” The new model must consider our goals for the future. The standards and the level of education for the future must be higher. We should not be solving the same math problems that has been solve hundreds of years ago, we must be solving the problems of today and the future. 40 years ago my math teacher could only dream of solving a big matrix, system of equations, or graph high power polynomials, complex numbers, or a double, triple integrals. But today it is only seconds to do each of these problems. We must build on that and go further.
Technology to watch: I like the idea of "game based learning." There are a lot of math games on papers or on the internet that are very useful to learn math concepts and practice. They also increase critical and faster thinking of the students.
Address "Key Trends," which one is the most important (say for instance, that your principal asked you to give only one)?
ReplyDeleteThe way we think of learning environments is changing. Normally when talk about learning environment it has been a physical space, but due to the innovations and the technology the idea of what constitutes a learning environment is changing. The learning is beyond the classroom or outside the library. Student these days learn from different means such as use of the World Wide Web (Internet), socially (face book/Tweeters) and so on and these concepts of the learning environment have clear implications for schools.
Address "Critical Challenges," which one is going to be the most difficult to address?
The most difficult to address will be “Students are different, but educational practice and the materials that support it are changing only slowly”.
The teaching methods and the lesson plans are still a decade old and it is affecting the learning needs of today’s student. Most of the student these days are using latest technology and they are different in so many ways, the way they interact, they perceived things and learn are very different so the schools should change as well to meet the needs of the student however it will be very difficult for a total transform.
Address "Technologies to Watch," select one of the technologies and explain how you might use this type of technology in your future teaching.
Game based learning has been the main stream for learning for many decades, student seems to enjoy when they are engaged in a game. School and teachers should use this methods a lot.
I will use the game based learning in my future teaching, as a business teacher I can use game/challenges such as apprentice (Marketing Class).
Key Trends:
ReplyDelete"The way we think of learning environments is changing" I think this was particularly important because it talked about the way we see the class as changing. It is not limited to learning in a physical space anymore, learning can take place anywhere. Now students can collaborate with others from home or around the world from class to class. With internet and other resources learning now can truly take place anywhere.
Critical Challenges:
"Students are different, but educational practice and the materials that support it are changing only slowly" I saw this as an important post because it seems that we are being taught the same way as others from 20 years ago. I have gotten reading materials and handouts in my classes that are from the 80's or 90's and these are read and discussed as if they are current?? I am not sure things are the same as they were 15-25 years ago. Along with this is the fact that teachers need to engage students and more times than not this is going to need to incorporate some type of technology.
Tech to Watch:
"Game based learning" I thought this was particularly nice to see. I know that in the classes that I am in when we play games for reviews or as learning based activities the students are engaged and participating. This is a great way to keep attention and make learning fun. Usually the atmosphere will drive students to try to learn in order to win and seems to be very effective.
Key Trends: The key trend that stood out to me is that the learning spaces are expanding beyond the classroom. I think it is important to understand that learning can take place outside of traditional classrooms. If students realize this, they may be more willing to learn and realize how their learning will carry over to the real world.
ReplyDeleteCritical Challenges: "Students are different, but educational practice and the materials that support it are changing only slowly" was the main challenge I found. I think students are so much different than they were 20 years ago, and I don't think teaching methods are being adjusted as much as they should be.
Tech to Watch: Game-based learning can be very useful. The amount of "gamers" in our schools is huge and if we can use this to our advantage it can increase student interest and participation in our lessons.
To me, the most important key trend is that the way we think of a learning environment is changing. I believe that this encompasses most, if not all, of the rest of the key trends. As we have said before, the generations going forward have never known a world without the internet, email, or cell phones.
ReplyDeleteThe most difficult critical challenge to address is the lack of digital media literacy. Many of the current educators in our school systems are far behind their students in tech skills. Unfortunately, until school systems see this as a top priority and provide funding and/or up-to-date training, teachers will have 2 options: take personal money (money they don't have) and invest it in technology training or forgo that training in lieu of more pressing expenses.
I would like to see many of the technologies to watch implemented, but I would most like my students to experience augmented reality that is enhanced by flexible displays. I believe schools are already starting to implement some of the previous technologies (which is great), but I think my specific subject would benefit greatly from a technology that lets my students experience instead of download my verbal input.
Key Trends: I think the way we think of the learning environment is important. There are varying opportunities for students to learn virtually through others. For example, using Skype to connect to another class in another state or country to confer and collaborate. It would also give students’ perspectives about how others think across the country and how they are taught. When I was at the NATS conference, a teacher brought virtual technology into the classroom. The children were engaged with the person who was teaching the lesson through real-time.
ReplyDeleteCritical Challenges: I think that one of the most critical challenges will be changing the materials that support education. This step calls for new learning models that may include focusing on individual potential rather than just curriculum. This is a difficult challenge because now teachers are driven by Criterion Referenced Testing which leaves out some of the more individualized, hands-on activities because of the almighty federal dollar.
Technologies to Watch: I like the idea of gaming technology. Kids are so involved in putting their hands on their phones, IPods, etc., let’s keep them engaged with not only their hands but have them actually learn something in the process. In a biology classroom I could be use gaming for vocabulary, producing a virtual experiment or a virtual dissection where the student could test their skills before doing the actual dissection.
The trend that I believe is most important is the idea that ‘the way we think of learning environments is changing.’ Technology is gradually allowing learning to take place outside of the physical classroom during typical learning hours. It allows student to access information, such as presentations and homework, during non-classroom time. This allows and many would say requires teachers to develop lessons plans that accommodate this learning avenue. It also provides another way for students to collaboration and communicates with teachers as questions arise outside of the classroom which allows for more efficient learning. For example, if a student is working on a project on the weekend and has a significant question, current technology allows for that student to communicate by various means (i.e. email, blog, twitter) with the appropriate teacher to minimize disruption on completing the project.
ReplyDeleteThe critical challenge that will be the most difficult to address is that ‘many policy makers and educators believe that deep reform is needed, but at the same time, there is little agreement as to what a new model of education might look like.’ This will be difficult to develop primarily due to funding. Many schools would be more aggressive in developing and implementing if adequate funding was available because there are models that have been successfully implemented to guide other school districts.
Game-based learning is a technology trend that I would use in the classroom. Used effectively, it can create a fun and interactive learning environment.
Q: Address "Key Trends," which one is the most important (say for instance, that your principal asked you to give only one)?
ReplyDeleteA: I think the most important trend they show is that in the real world --- or the adult world --- we need to use these technologies and our understanding of said technologies in order to function in our society. If we deprive our kids from learning these skills that are now just as important as reading, writing, and math, then we are depriving them of a successful life beyond our high school. This is our job to ready them for the future. So let's do our job.
Q:Address "Critical Challenges," which one is going to be the most difficult to address?
A: I think the biggest challenge is that we are paving a way here and we really don't know what the new way should look like. We all agree reform needs to happen, but how? What will it look like? There are no founding fathers to refer to. We have to create something on our own for the future, and this is a daunting task.
Q: Address "Technologies to Watch," select one of the technologies and explain how you might use this type of technology in your future teaching.
A: Game-based learning is already something I can use in my classroom. Just today I started putting together a game show for "To Kill a Mockingbird" using a downloadable template from Microsoft Powerpoint Online (check it out!). It plays into the competitive spirit of an adolescent, makes it pertinent that they know the information, and it forces them to interact not only with the material, but with each other. It's a lot more fun to play Jeopardy in class and cover the material than just sitting there trying to memorize it. And thanks to this template, I'm able to make True False questions, MC questions, and matching questions that could then work into a nonlinear powerpoint and make it look like a fantastical Jeopardy.
One of the most important trends in technology is that technology continues to profoundly affect the way we work, collaborate, communicate and succeed. It might be better if teachers would be role models for their students by developing their familiarity with and literacy of technology and involve students more with technology-based learning.
ReplyDeleteThe most difficult challenge to address might be related to this, “digital literacy is less about tools and more about thinking, and thus skills and standards based on tools and platforms have proven to be somewhat ephemeral”. Teachers’ technological education mainly consists of learning how to use new tools, which is very quick but intense training that might be overwhelming and frustrating to teachers by giving them too much information in a short time. And then, they may think technology is not for them but just for students, thinking they are too old to learn. What teachers need first is an educational process that would familiarize them with tools and approaches to digital thinking instead of being rushed to use brand new tools.
The strategy I might use for teaching would be to build a collaborative environment for learning. As technology assisted teaching and learning increases in use, naturally, students’ face to face meeting and cooperative work decreases because each student spends more time with computers or devices and less time with people. I would like to build collaborative work environments for students to give them opportunities to interact with peers and mentors. One thing that I can think of is group studies for differences between Korea and the U.S.A.’s Thanksgiving Day.
I think that the most important current trend is the fact that technology continues to change our work, collaboration, communication, and success. As teachers it is vital for us to understand the importance of students becoming proficient in using technology. Our world is based around the ability to perfect our use of technology. Now we must promote the use of technology in our classrooms in homework, student collaboration and communication in order to promote successful skills and practices. I think this must be a reality before we can become proficient teachers.
ReplyDeleteI think there are many critical challenges when it comes to the use of technology, but I think the greatest challenge comes with the training of teachers. Even though we may want to use technology in our classrooms and may desire to have the latest technology available, there simply isn't enough time. Teachers aren't always given the resources (money & equipment) they need in order to successfully teach students different forms of media technology. This is a challenge that is going to have to start at the top with administration and work its way down in order to have proper training for new technology.
I think the use of mobiles and specifically the use of internet on mobiles is the most realistic approach for me in physical education. I would love to have a "mobile friendly" blog where my students could post their journal reflections without having to actually write it out on paper. The challenge with this would be access for those who don't have a mobile phone with internet capabilities, however the option of posting on the blog could still be made available through the standard internet version.
As I was reading the Key Trends I thought a good point was made when they talked about how technology affects the way we work, communicate, and succeed. This is important because technology skills are critical to success in many fields. The ones that advance in their career are those with technology skills. This is why technology should be embraced in schools if students are to succeed.
ReplyDeleteOut of all the critical challenges listed I think the most difficult one to address is education reform. Education definitely needs to be improved in this country, but many people disagree on how it should be done. Its hard to change a system that has been in place for this long. Many people don't like change so they stay with the same old ways. There are also different opinions on how to measure progress and teacher accountability. This is a hot topic in the news right now that many people are discussing.
One of the new technologies I am interested in is game-based learning. Kids love to play games and this is a way to make them educational. It is a way to have fun, get engaged, and learn. I think this is something I can use in my classroom and the students will enjoy. An example would be playing a game of Jeopardy using the topics we talked about in class.
Reading the latest horizon report, I find the first key trend; “Technology is increasingly a means for empowering students, a method for communication and socializing, and a ubiquitous, transparent part of their lives” deserves most of our attention as educators because of the increased cyber bulling and how it lead to increased suicide rate among teens and young adults. It is very important to educate our students and guide them to safer ways of using these technologies and to keep them informed of remedies and resources that help once problem arises. That is just as important as using technologies to help them learn and succeed.
ReplyDeleteOne of the critical challenges I find it hard to address is the establishment of fundamental structure of the K-12 education due to the diverse populations of teachers and their philosophies, teaching styles, students from different ethnic and racial backgrounds, learning styles, diverse governmental policies as per different States and school districts as well as financial implications and resources. It a hugely complex issue that is not impossible but it is a very long term.
I find collaborative environment to be very useful technology to watch and adopt in science education. Science learned best as hands on approach that works in small groups where peer interaction and teacher mentoring are very essential for best outcomes.
test'
ReplyDeleteSorry, I know this is late but I thought better late than never.
ReplyDeleteI thought that one of the key trends is that learning is expanding outside of the classroom. This is huge, especially in college classrooms. We, as educators, need to introduce high school students to all the sources of technology we can in order to aid in their learning. Also, technology is a major factor in empowering students. In order to excel in modern times, one has to be educated in technology.
I think that one of the biggest challenges addressed in the article is that many policy makers believe in reform, but there is little agreement as how to do so. With many opposing views, it is hard to settle on just one type of education policy. It is best to blend ideas together to fully maximize the learning potential of the students, but deciding on how to do so is an intense struggle.
From the article, I like the idea of games as a strategy to learning. Especially in my field, students may find the topic boring. I have found some games online that I would like to try out with my chemistry students, and hope fully they will find interest in and eventually become engaged. Learning doesn't always have to be lecture and note taking.
October 7, 2010 2:45 PM